Google is buying an augmented reality startup Quest Visual

augmented reality

Google is buying an augmented reality startup to help beef up its translation technology.

The search giant has purchased Quest Visual, the company behind an app called Word Lens that automatically translates words seen through a smartphone video camera.

Quest disclosed the acquisition in a post on its website saying that its technology will be folded into team running Google Translate. A Google spokesman subsequently confirmed the deal.

Terms were not disclosed.

The YouTube video below shows how an app like Word Lens might replace pocket dictionaries for international tourists, at least when it comes to reading signs. It uses a mobile device’s screen to superimpose translated text on the real world.

Quest, founded in 2009 and based in San Francisco, already had a close relationship with Google. The search giant featured a version of Word Lens for its Internet-connected eyewear, Google Glass, at an event back in November.

Quest Visual is offering the Word Lens app, as well as support for various languages, for free for a limited time, according to its post.